| One day after Bob Wise expressed concern about West Virginia's money
problems, and that it would be necessary to look at some budget cuts from public
education - the state's school board decided to hire a $75,000 lobbyist.
Chuck Felton, who reviews new jobs that state agencies want to create says a new
lobbyist position is not warranted and he won't sign off on it.
One of the requirements of the proposed job was to create a comprehensive
news media strategy to promote the nine-member state board and its agenda -
government lobbying government.
State schools Deputy Superintendent Steve Paine already serves as the board's
legislative liaison. The department also has two communications specialists who
make more than $125,000 a year combined.
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